Eric Tulloch: The Waterman of Dubai as it used to be.

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How Eric Tulloch brought Fresh Water to Dubai in 1961

The Late Eric Tulloch played a key role in Dubai's development. He was responsible for bringing Fresh Water to Dubai and developing a distribution system. Availability of Fresh Water played a key part in Dubai's rapid development.

Eric Tulloch came to Dubai in 1960 at the request of Sheikh Rashid. Eric was working in Kuwait as a Water Engineer. Sheikh Rashid wanted Eric to organise the delivery of 250,000 gallons of water to Dubai for the wedding celebrations of Sheikh Rashid's daughter Sheikha Mariam. By 1961 he had organised water to be piped from Al Awir to the top of Dubai Creek where Water Tankers collected the water for transport to distribution points around Dubai and Diera. Donkeys were used to carry water from these points to individual houses. Cost? Dhs 30 for 1,000 gallons and Dhs 1 for a four gallon Donkey load.

Eric went on to establish the Dubai Water Department and the water distribution network that helped Dubai to develop so rapidly. The first house to have piped in water and install an internal plumbing system was Sheikha Shamma's house in Bur Dubai. Sheikha Shamma was one of Sheikh Rashid's Aunts.

Fresh Water for sale!

Fresh Water also played an important role in bringing shipping to Dubai. The quality of Dubai's water was superior to any other water in the Gulf. Dubai's water had lower salt content which made it suitable for ship's boilers. Ships called at Dubai simply to take on water for their boilers. Water Barges carried water out to Ships anchored offshore where it was pumped aboard. Water that cost DHS 5 per ton on land in Dubai was sold to these ships for DHS 50 per ton.